Sunday, June 26, noon, in Lakeside Park (Lake Merritt).
This is the first big public meeting we’ve ever had of the members and friends of the Coalition for a Better Oakland. It’s time to get to know each other and plan our next steps.
We started CBO because we were fed up with the direction Oakland was going. The city we love was disintegrating. The political leaders who should have protected us were absent. Libby Schaaf was disengaged. The City Council was an embarrassment. They were largely responsible for the catastrophe that had overtaken Oakland, and their continued presence was only making things worse. Someone had to stand up for truth and sanity. That was us. It wasn’t a role we coveted, but it was one we had to take.
We knew we weren’t alone. There had to be many thousands of Oaklanders who agreed with us. But they had no way for their voices to be heard. The media was completely irresponsible. The organizations that ruled Oakland—the City Council, the Police Commission, the Police Overseer, Warshaw—were hopelessly ideological, hating on the Oakland Police Department and oblivious to the will of the people to protect us against crime. We, the founders of the Coalition for a Better Oakland, were not Republicans or Democrats. We were just ordinary citizens who wanted to live in peace and safety.
So it’s time to take our mutual struggle to the next step. Here are some details about the meeting (we’ll be repeating these often both here on the blog, and on our Facebook and nextdoor.com pages).
We’ll gather near the kiosk of the parking lot, which is entered from Grand Avenue, across from Park View Drive. We’ll find a spot to the left of the kiosk. If you’re uncomfortable sitting on the grass, bring some kind of portable folding chair. Also bring a snack/beverage of some kind. There’s no formal agenda. I envision us in a circle; each person can give his/her name and neighborhood, and say a little something. Jack Saunders and I will be happy to answer any questions, as best we can; but this isn’t about us, it’s about all of us. What would you like to see CBO do? Are there issues other than policing, crime and encampments that members would like to see us address? Regarding future activities, who is willing to become actively involved?
So I’m hoping to see you all there. Bring a friend!
Meanwhile, have a great, safe weekend. Yay Warriors! And Happy Juneteenth.
Steve Heimoff